Low solvent rinse-added fabric softners having increased softness benefits

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to rinse-added fabric softening compositions, including translucent or clear liquid compositions. The compositions of the present invention comprise a polyoxyalkylene alkyl amide surface active agent which provides increased softness to fabrics, increased stability and formulatability to dispersed phase liquids, and provide for a reduced level of principal solvent when formulated into translucent or clear liquid compositions. In the most basic form, the compositions of the present invention comprise: a) from about 1% to about 80% by weight, of a fabric softening active; b) less than about 15% by weight, of a principal solvent, said principal solvent having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1; c) from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, of a polyoxyalkylene alkyl amide surface active agent; and d) the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients.

This application is a 371 of PCT/US98/25077 filed Nov. 24, 1998, whichclaims benefit Prov. No. 60/066,424 filed Nov. 24, 1997.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to rinse-added fabric softeningcompositions, including translucent or clear liquid compositions. Thecompositions of the present invention have a low level or nil principalsolvent while providing enhanced softness to fabrics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clear, colorless or translucent liquids which can be suitably colored bythe formulator are desirable embodiments of rinse-added fabric softenercompositions. Typically these compositions require beyond any fabricsoftener actives, up to 20% by weight of one or more principal solventsinter alia 1,2-hexanediol 2-ethyl-1,2-hexanediol and2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (TMPD). In addition, not all fabricsoftener actives are compatible with all principal solvents. This fact,taken together with the high cost and low supply capacity of certainprincipal solvents, has encumbered the formulation of clear colorlessliquid fabric softener compositions.

Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for rinse-added fabricsoftener compositions which are translucent and/or colorless and whichavoids the use of high levels of principal solvent. In addition, thereis a need for efficient softness boosters for all rinse-added fabricsoftener compositions, for example, dispersed phase liquids as well asclear isotropic liquids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the aforementioned needs in that it has beensurprisingly discovered that the use of certain primary and secondarypolyoxyalkylene alkylamide surface active agents provide increasedfabric softness in both dispersed phase and clear or translucentisotropic formulations. Indeed, the mono- and di-polyoxyalkylene alkylamide surface active agents of the present invention also provide easierprocessability and formulatability in dispersed phase rinse-addedcompositions.

It has also been surprisingly discovered that certain primary andsecondary polyoxyalkylene alkylamide surface active agents can besubstituted for the principal solvents of clear, translucent fabricsoftening compositions thereby requiring a lower level of, and in someinstances, nil principal solvent.

The first aspect of the present invention relates to rinse-added fabricsoftening compositions comprising:

a) from about 1% to about 80% by weight, of a fabric softening active;

b) less than about 15% by weight, of a principal solvent, said principalsolvent having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1;

c) from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, of a polyoxyalkylene alkylamide surface active agent; preferably having the formula:

wherein R is C₇-C₂₁ linear alkyl, C₇-C₂₁ branched alkyl, C₇-C₂₁ linearalkenyl, C₇-C₂₁ branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; R¹ is ethylene;R² is C₃-C₄ linear alkyl, C₃-C₄ branched alkyl, and mixtures thereof; R³is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ linear alkyl, C₃-C₄ branched alkyl, and mixturesthereof; R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ linear alkyl, C₃-C₄ branched alkyl, andmixtures thereof; m is 1 or 2, n is 0 or 1, provided that when m is 1 nis 1 and when m is 2 n is 0; x is from 0 to about 50; y is from 0 toabout 10; and

d) the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients.

The present invention further relates to a process for making arinse-added fabric softener composition with a low to zero level ofprincipal solvent, comprising the step of adding an amide surfactant toa fabric softener active-containing composition.

The present invention also relates to methods for providing increasedfabric softness to fabric, said method comprising the step of contactingfabric with an amide surfactant comprising composition according to thepresent invention. These and other objects, features and advantages willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading ofthe following detailed description and the appended claims.

All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unlessotherwise specified. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (°C.)unless otherwise specified. All documents cited are in relevant part,incorporated herein by reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to rinse-added fabric softeningcompositions having increased softness. The increased softness benefitis provided by the addition of one or more polyoxyalkylene alkyl amidesurface active agents to dispersed phase or isotropic softenercompositions. In addition, compositions which are clear, translucentliquids, need less principal solvent to maintain an isotropicformulation. These latter compositions may be formulated to be colorlesssolutions or the formulator may tint or color the compositions tosatisfy the aesthetic decor indicated by the consumer. The compositionsthe present invention comprise polyoxyalkylene alkylamide surface activeagents which can replace some or all of the principal solvent whichtypically comprises clear and/or translucent liquid fabric softeners.The level of principal solvent present in the compositions of thepresent invention is typically less than about 15%, preferably less thanabout 12%, more preferably less than about 9% most preferably less thanabout 5% by weight. Although compositions comprising nil principalsolvent are achievable by the present invention, the presence of one ormore principal solvents at a level of from about 0.5% to about 10% maybe desirable by the formulator. For example, in order to formulate oneor more ingredients, or to provide a homogeneous admixture ofingredients (e.g., colorants), one or more principal solvents may beused as a cosolvent or carrier during processing. Therefore, thepresence of a principal solvent may be due to the fact that saidprincipal solvent was carried into the composition as part of afeedstock composition. In addition, some level of principal solvent maybe necessary to maintain product clarity at low temperatures.

The following describe the required ingredients of the presentinvention.

Polyoxyalkylene Alkylamide Surface Active Agent

The present invention comprises from about 0.5%, preferably from about1.5% to about 10%, preferably to about 5%, more preferably to about 4%,most preferably to about 3% by weight, of one or more polyoxyalkylenealkyl amide surface active agent.

The nonionic surfactants suitable for use in the present invention havethe formula:

wherein R is C₇-C₂₁ linear alkyl, C₇-C₂₁ branched alkyl, C₇-C₂₁ linearalkenyl, C₇-C₂₁ branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof. Preferably thenonionic surfactants of the present invention are derived from naturallyoccurring feedstocks, therefore said nonionic surfactants comprise acylunits having the formula:

wherein said acyl unit is derived from a source of triglyceride selectedfrom the group consisting of tallow, partially hydrogenated tallow,lard, coconut oil, partially hydrogenated coconut oil, palm kernel oil,hydrogenated palm kernel oil, canola oil, partially hydrogenated canolaoil, safflower oil, partially hydrogenated safflower oil, peanut oil,partially hydrogenated peanut oil, sunflower oil, partially hydrogenatedsunflower oil, corn oil, partially hydrogenated corn oil, soybean oil,partially hydrogenated soybean oil, tall oil, partially hydrogenatedtall oil, rice bran oil, partially hydrogenated rice bran oil, andmixtures thereof. Further preferred sources of triglyceride for the acylunit are synthetic triglyceride feedstocks, for example, triglycerideswhich are prepared via chemical reaction or other process rather thanbeing derived from a natural source. More preferred feedstocks for saidacyl units are tallow, partially hydrogenated tallow, coconut oil,partially hydrogenated coconut oil, canola oil, hydrogenated canola oil,synthetic triglycerides, and mixtures thereof. A preferred triglyceridesource is tri-oleyl triglycerides.

R¹ is ethylene; R² is C₃-C₄ linear alkyl, C₃-C₄ branched alkyl, andmixtures thereof; preferably R² is 1,2-propylene. Nonionic surfactantswhich comprise a mixture of R¹ and R² units preferably comprise fromabout 4 to about 12 ethylene units in combination with from about 1 toabout 4 1,2-propylene units. The units may be alternating, or groupedtogether in any combination suitable to the formulator. Preferably theratio of R¹ units to R² units is from about 4:1 to about 8:1. Preferablyan R² units (i.e. 1,2-propylene) is attached to the nitrogen atomfollowed by the balance of the chain comprising from 4 to 8 ethyleneunits.

R³ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ linear alkyl, C₃-C₄ branched alkyl, and mixturesthereof; preferably hydrogen or methyl, more preferably hydrogen.

R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ linear alkyl, C₃-C₄ branched alkyl, and mixturesthereof; preferably hydrogen. When the index m is equal to 2 the index nmust be equal to 0 and the R⁴ unit is absent and is instead replaced bya −[(R¹O)_(x)(R²O)_(y)R³] unit.

The index m is 1 or 2, the index n is 0 or 1, provided that when m isequal to 1, n is equal to 1; and when m is 2 n is 0; preferably m isequal to 1 and n is equal to one, resulting in one−[(R¹O)_(x)(R²O)_(y)R³] unit and R⁴ being present on the nitrogen. Theindex x is from 0 to about 50, preferably from about 3 to about 25, morepreferably from about 3 to about 10. The index y is from 0 to about 10,preferably 0, however when the index y is not equal to 0, y is from 1 toabout 4. Preferably all of the alkyleneoxy units are ethyleneoxy units.Those skilled in the art of ethoxylated polyoxyalkylene alkyl amidesurface active agents will recognized that the values for the indices xand y are average values and the true values may range over severalvalues depending upon the process used to alkoxylate the amides.

Suitable means for preparing the polyoxyalkylene alkylamide surfaceactive agents of the present invention can be found in “SurfactantScience Series”, Editor Martin Schick, Volume 1, Chapter 8 (1967) andVolume XIX, Chapter 1 (1987) included herein by reference.

Quaternary Ammonium Fabric Softening Active Compounds (DEOA's)

The preferred fabric softening actives according to the presentinvention are

quaternary ammonium compounds having the formula:

and mixtures thereof, wherein each R is independently C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, and mixtures thereof; R¹ is preferably C₁₁-C₂₂linear alkyl, C₁₁-C₂₂ branched alkyl, C₁₁-C₂₂ linear alkenyl, C₁₁-C₂₂branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; Q is a carbonyl moietyindependently selected from the units having the formula:

wherein R² is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, preferably hydrogen; R³ is C₁-C₄alkyl, preferably hydrogen or methyl; preferably Q has the formula:

X is a softener compatible anion, preferably the anion of a strong acid,for example, chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate,nitrate and mixtures thereof, more preferably chloride and methylsulfate. The anion can also, but less preferably, carry a double charge,in which case X⁽⁻⁾ represents half a group. The index m has a value offrom 1 to 3; the index n has a value of from 1 to 4, preferably 2 or 3,more preferably 2.

One embodiment of the present invention provides for amines andquaternized amines having two or more different values for the index nper molecule, for example, a softener active prepared from the startingamine methyl(3-aminopropyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)amnine.

More preferred softener actives according to the present invention havethe formula:

wherein the unit having the formula:

is a fatty acyl moiety. Suitable fatty acyl moieties for use in thesoftener actives of the present invention are derived from sources oftriglycerides including tallow, vegetable oils and/or partiallyhydrogenated vegetable oils including inter alia canola oil, saffloweroil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tall oil, ricebran oil.

The R¹ units are typically mixtures of linear and branched chains ofboth saturated and unsaturated aliphatic fatty acids, an example ofwhich (canola oil), is described in Table I herein below.

TABLE I Fatty acyl unit % C14 0.1 C16 5.4 C16:1 0.4 C18 5.7 C18:1 67.0C18:2 13.5 C18:3 2.7 C20 0.5 C20:1 4.6

The formulator, depending upon the desired physical and performanceproperties of the final fabric softener active, can choose any of theabove mentioned sources of fatty acyl moieties, or alternatively, theformulator can mix sources of triglyceride to form a “customized blend”.However, those skilled in the art of fats and oils recognize that thefatty acyl composition may vary, as in the case of vegetable oil, fromcrop to crop, or from variety of vegetable oil source to variety ofvegetable oil source. DEQA's which are prepared using fatty acidsderived from natural sources are preferred.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides softeneractives comprising R¹ units which have at least about 3%, preferably atleast about 5%, more preferably at least about 10%, most preferably atleast about 15% C₁₁-C₂₂ alkenyl, including polyalkenyl (polyunsaturated)units inter alia oleic, linoleic, linolenic.

For the purposes of the present invention the term “mixed chain fattyacyl units” is defined as “a mixture of fatty acyl units comprisingalkyl and alkenyl chains having from 10 carbons to 22 carbon atomsincluding the carbonyl carbon atom, and in the case of alkenyl chains,from one to three double bonds, preferably all double bonds in the cisconfiguration”. With regard to the R¹ units of the present invention, itis preferred that at least a substantial percentage of the fatty acylgroups are unsaturated, e.g., from about 25%, preferably from about 50%to about 70%, preferably to about 65%. The total level of fabricsoftening active containing polyunsaturated fatty acyl groups can befrom about 3%, preferably from about 5%, more preferably from about 10%to about 30%, preferably to about 25%, more preferably to about 18%. Asstated herein above cis and trans isomers can be used, preferably with acis/trans ratio is of from 1:1, preferably at least 3:1, and morepreferably from about 4:1 to about 50:1, more preferably about 20:1,however, the minimum being 1:1.

The level of unsaturation contained within the tallow, canola, or otherfatty acyl unit chain can be measured by the Iodine Value (IV) of thecorresponding fatty acid, which in the present case should preferably bein the range of from 5 to 100 with two categories of compounds beingdistinguished, having a IV below or above 25.

Indeed, for compounds having the formula:

derived from tallow fatty acids, when the Iodine Value is from 5 to 25,preferably 15 to 20, it has been found that a cis/trans isomer weightratio greater than about 30/70, preferably greater than about 50/50 andmore preferably greater than about 70/30 provides optimalconcentrability.

For compounds of this type made from tallow fatty acids having a IodineValue of above 25, the ratio of cis to trans isomers has been found tobe less critical unless very high concentrations are needed. A furtherpreferred embodiment of the present invention comprises DEQA's whereinthe average Iodine Value for R¹ is approximately 45.

The R¹ units suitable for use in the isotropic liquids present inventioncan be further characterized in that the Iodine Value (IV) of the parentfatty acid, said IV is preferably from about 10, more preferably fromabout 50, most preferably from about 70, to a value of about 140,preferably to about 130, more preferably to about 115. However,formulators, depending upon which embodiment of the present inventionthey choose to execute, may wish to add an amount of fatty acyl unitswhich have Iodine Values outside the range listed herein above. Forexample, “hardened stock” (IV less than or equal to about 10) may becombined with the source of fatty acid admixture to adjust theproperties of the final softener active.

A prefered source of fatty acyl units, especially fatty acyl unitshaving branching, for example, “Guerbet branching”, methyl, ethyl, etc.units substituted along the primary alkyl chain, synthetic sources offatty acyl units are also suitable. For example, the formulator may withto add one or more fatty acyl units having a methyl branch at a“non-naturally occuring” position, for example, at the third carbon of aC₁₇ chain. What is meant herein by the term “non-naturally occuring” is“acyl units whihc are not found in significant (greater than about 0.1%) quantities is common fats and oils which serve as feedstocks for thesource of triglycerides described herein.” If the desired branched chainfatty acyl unit is unavailable from readily available naturalfeedstocks, therefore, synthetic fatty acid can be suitably admixed withother synthetic materials or with other natural triglyceride derivedsources of acyl units.

Amines which can be used to prepare the preferred fabric softeningactives of the present invention have the formula:

wherein R is the same as defined herein above; each Z is independentlyselected from the group consisting of —OH. —CHR³OH, —CH(OH)CH₂OH, —NH₂,and mixtures thereof; preferably —OH, —NH₂, and mixtures thereof; R³ isC₁-C₄ alkyl, preferably methyl; the indices m and n are the same asdefined hereinabove.

Non-limiting examples of preferred amines which are used to form theDEQA fabric softening actives according to the present invention includemethyl bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine having the formula:

methyl bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine having the formula:

methyl (3-aminopropyl) (2-hydroxyethyl)amine having the formula:

methyl bis(2-aminoethyl)amine having the formula:

triethanol amine having the formula:

bis(2-aminoethyl) ethanolamine having the formula:

The above examples include symmetrical as well as unsymmetrical andmixed amines. For the purposes of the present invention the term “mixed”amine is defined as “amines having different carbon chain lengths on twoor more branches”, that is the value of the index n is different fromchain to chain. An example of a mixed amine is methyl (3-aminopropyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)amine. For the purposes of the present invention theterm “unsymetrical amine” is defined as “amines having differentsubstituents from one chain to the next”, that is one chain may comprisea hydroxy unit, while another chain may comprise an amine unit.

For the purposes of the present invention, R moieties which areintroduced during the quaternization step are preferably methyl. In thecase of amines having the formula:

R is preferably the same moiety (i.e. methyl) which is introduced duringthe quaternization step. For example, a methyl amine having the formula:

after reaction with a suitable source of fatty acyl units, is preferablyquaternized to the softener active having the general formula:

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fabric softening activeprecursor amine mixture is not fully quaternized, that is, some freeamine having the general formula:

is still present in the final fabric softener mixture.

A yet further embodiment of the present invention comprises an amine ofthe formula:

wherein not all of the Z units are fully reacted with a fatty acylmoiety thereby leaving an amount of amine and/or quaternized ammoniumcompound in the final fabric softener active admixture having one ormore Z units unreacted and thereby not transformed into an ester oramide.

The following are examples of preferred softener actives according tothe present invention.

N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methylsulfate;

N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methylsulfate;

N,N-di(tallowylamidoethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methylsulfate;

N,N-di(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N,N-di(2-canolyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

N,N-di(2-tallowyloxyethylcarbonyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammoniumchloride;

N,N-di(2-canolyloxyethylcarbonyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammoniumchloride;

N-(2-tallowoyloxy-2-ethyl)-N-(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride;

N-(2-canolyloxy-2-ethyl)-N-(2-canolyloxy-2-oxo-ethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride;

N,N,N-tri(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl ammonium chloride;

N,N,N-tri(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl ammonium chloride;

N-(2-tallowyloxy-2-oxoethyl)-N-(tallowyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammoniumchloride;

N-(2-canolyloxy-2-oxoethyl)-N-(canoyly)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;

1,2-ditallowyloxy-3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniopropane chloride; and

1,2-dicanolyloxy-3-N,N,N-trimethylanumoniopropane chloride;

and mixtures of the above actives.

Particularly preferred is N,N-di(tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, where the tallow chains are at least partiallyunsaturated and N,N-di(canoloyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,-dimethyl ammoniumchloride. N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate; N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl,N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methyl sulfate; and mixtures thereof.

Still other suitable quaternary ammonium fabric softening compounds foruse herein are cationic nitrogenous salts having two or more long chainacyclic aliphatic C₈-C₂₂ hydrocarbon groups or one said group and anarylalkyl group which can be used either alone or as part of a mixtureare selected from the group consisting of:

(i) acyclic quaternary ammonium salts having the formula:

wherein R⁴ is an acyclic aliphatic C₈-C₂₂ hydrocarbon group, R⁵ is aC₁-C₄ saturated alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, R⁸ is selected from thegroup consisting of R⁴ and R⁵ groups, and A− is an anion defined asabove;

(ii) diamino alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salts having the formula:

wherein n is equal to 1 to about 5, and R₁, R², R⁵ and A− are as definedabove;

(iii) mixtures thereof.

Examples of the above class cationic nitrogenous salts are thewell-known dialkyldi methylammonium salts such asditallowdimethylammonium chloride, ditallowdimethylammoniummethylsulfate, di(hydrogenatedtallow)dimethylammonium chloride,distearyldimethylammonium chloride, dibehenyldimethylammonium chloride.Di(hydrogenatedtallow)di methylammonium chloride andditallowdimethylanmmonium chloride are preferred. Examples ofcommercially available dialkyldimethyl ammonium salts usable in thepresent invention are di(hydrogenatedtallow)dimethylammonium chloride(trade name Adogen® 442), ditallowdimethylammonium chloride (trade nameAdogen® 470. Praepagen® 3445), distearyl dimethylammonium chloride(trade name Arosurf® TA-100), all available from Witco Chemical Company.Dibehenyldimethylammonium chloride is sold under the trade name KemamineQ-2802C by Humko Chemical Division of Witco Chemical Corporation.Dimethylstearylbenzyl ammonium chloride is sold under the trade namesVarisoft® SDC by Witco Chemical Company and Ammonyx® 490 by OnyxChemical Company.

Amine Fabric Softening Active Compound

Suitable amine fabric softening compounds for use herein, which may bein amine form or cationic form are selected from:

(i) Reaction products of higher fatty acids with a polyamine selectedfrom the group consisting of hydroxyalkylalkylenediamines anddialkylenetriamines and mixtures thereof. These reaction products aremixtures of several compounds in view of the multi-functional structureof the polyamines.

The preferred Component (i) is a nitrogenous compound selected from thegroup consisting of the reaction product mixtures or some selectedcomponents of the mixtures.

One preferred Component (i) are reaction products of substantiallyunsaturated and/or branched chain higher fatty acids withdialkylenetriamines in, e.g., a molecular ratio of about 2:1, saidreaction products containing compounds of the formula:

R₁—C(O)—NH—R²—NH—R²—NH—C(O)—R¹

wherein each R¹ and R² are defined as above, and subsequentlyneutralized with an acid having the anion X−.

An example of Component (i) is reaction products of oleic acids withdiethylenetriamine in a molecular ratio of about 2:1, said reactionproduct mixture containing N,N″-dioleoyldiethylenetriamine with theformula:

R¹—C(O)—NH—CH₂CH₂—NH—CH₂CH₂—NH—C(O)—R¹

wherein R¹—C(O) is oleoyl group of a commercially available oleic acidderived from a vegetable or animal source, such as Emersol® 223LL orEmersol® 7021, available from Henkel Corporation, and R² and R³ aredivalent ethylene groups.

Another preferred component (i) is a compound of formula:

[R¹—C(O)—NR—R²—NRH—R²—NR—C(O)—R¹]⁺A⁻

wherein each R, R¹, R², and A− are defined as above.

An example of Compound (i) is a difatty amidoamine based softener havingthe formula:

[R¹—C(O)—NH—CH₂CH₂—NH(CH₂CH₂OH)—CH₂CH₂—NH—C(O)—R¹]⁺Cl−

wherein R¹—C(O) is oleoyl group.

Still another preferred component (i) is a compound selected from thegroup consisting of substituted imidazoline compounds having theformula:

wherein R⁷ is an acyclic aliphatic C₁₅-C₂₁ hydrocarbon group and R⁸ is adivalent C₁—C₃ alkylene group.

Component (i) materials are commercially available as: Mazamide® 6, soldby Mazer Chemicals, or Ceranine® HC, sold by Sandoz Colors & Chemicals;stearic hydroxyethyl imidazoline sold under the trade names of Alkazine®ST by Alkaril Chemicals, Inc, or Schercozoline® S by Scher Chemicals,Inc.; N,N″-ditallowalkoyldiethylenetriamine;1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazoline (wherein in the precedingstructure R¹ is an aliphatic C₁₅-C₁₇ hydrocarbon group and R⁸ is adivalent ethylene group).

Certain of the Components (i) can also be first dispersed in a Bronstedacid dispersing aid having a pKa value of not greater than about 4.provided that the pH of the final composition is not greater than about6. Some preferred dispersing aids are hydrochloric acid, phosphoricacid, or methylsulfonic acid.

Both N,N″-ditallowalkoyldiethylenetriamine and1-tallow(amidoethyl)-2-tallowimidazoline are reaction products of tallowfatty acids and diethylenetriamine, and are precursors of the cationicfabric softening agent methyl-1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazoliniummethylsulfate (see “Cationic Surface Active Agents as Fabric Softeners,”R. R. Egan, Journal of the American Oil Chemicals' Society, January1978, pages 118-121). N.N″-ditallow alkoyldiethylenetriamine and1-tallowarnidoethyl-2-tallowimidazoline can be obtained from WitcoChemical Company as experimental chemicals.Methyl-1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazolinium methylsulfate is sold byWitco Chemical Company under the tradename Varisoft® 475.

(ii) softener having the formula:

wherein each R² is a C₁₋₆ alkylene group, preferably an ethylene group;and G is an oxygen atom or an —NR— group; and each R, R¹, R² and R⁵ havethe definitions given above and A− has the definitions given above forX.

An example of Compound (ii) is 1-oleylamidoethyl-2-oleylimidazoliniumchloride wherein R¹ is an acyclic aliphatic C₁₅-C₁₇ hydrocarbon group,R² is an ethylene group, G is a NH group, R⁵ is a methyl group and A− isa chloride anion.

(iii) the reaction product of substantially unsaturated and/or branchedchain higher fatty acid with triethanolamine, and subsequentlyneutralized with an acid having the anion A−.

An example of Compound (iii) is reaction products of oleic acids withN-2-hydroxyethylethylenediamine in a molecular ratio of about 2:1, saidreaction product mixture containing a compound of the formula:

R¹—C(O)—NH—CH₂CH₂—N(CH₂CH₂OH)—C(O)—R¹

wherein R¹—C(O) is oleoyl group of a commercially available oleic acidderived from a vegetable or animal source, such as Emersol® 223LL orEmersol® 7021, available from Henkel Corporation.

(iv) softener having the formula:

wherein R, R¹, R², and A− are defined as above.

An example of Compound (iv) is the compound having the formula:

wherein R¹ is derived from oleic acid.

Additional fabric softening agents useful herein are described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,661,269 Trinh et al., issued Apr. 28, 1987; U.S. Pat. No.4,439,335, Burns, issued Mar. 27, 1984; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,870,Edwards et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,151, Cambre; U.S. Pat. No.3,886,075, Bernardino; U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,164, Davis; U.S. Pat. No.4,401,578, Verbruggen: U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,076, Wiersema et al.; U.S.Pat. No. 4,237,016, Rudkin, et al; and European Patent Applicationpublication No. 472,178, by Yamamura et al., all of said documents beingincorporated herein by reference.

Of course, the term “softening active” can also encompass mixedsoftening active agents.

Preferred among the classes of softener compounds disclosed hereinbefore are the diester or diamido quaternary ammonium fabric softeningactive compound (DEQA).

The amount of fabric softening active present in the compositions of thepresent invention is at least about 1%, preferably from about 10%, morepreferably from about 20% to about 80%, more preferably to about 60% byweight, of the composition.

Principal Solvent

The level of principal solvent present in the compositions of thepresent invention is typically less than about 15%, preferably less thanabout 12%, more preferably less than about 9%, most preferably less thanabout 5% by weight. Some embodiments of the present invention compriseno principal solvent.

The principal solvents of the present invention are primarily used toobtain liquid compositions having sufficient clarity and viscosity.Principal solvents must also be selected to minmize solvent odor impactin the composition. For example, isopropyl alcohol is not an effectiveprincipal solvent in that it does not serve to produce a compositionhaving suitable viscosity. Isopropanol also fails as a suitableprincipal solvent because it has a relatively strong odor.

Principal solvents are also selected for their ability to provide stablecompositions at low temperatures, preferably compositions comprisingsuitable principal solvents are clear down to about 4° C. and have theability to fully recover their clarity if stored as low as about 7° C.

The principal solvents according to the present invention are selectedbase upon their octanol/water partition coefficient (P). Theoctanol/water partition coefficient is a measure of the ratio of theconcentrations of a particular principal solvent in octanol and water atequilibrium. The partition coefficients are conveniently expressed andreported as their logarithm to the base 10; logP.

The logP of many principal solvent species has been reported; forexample, the Ponmona92 database, available from Daylight ChemicalInformation Systems, Inc.(Daylight CIS), contains many, along withcitations to the original literature.

However, the logP values are most conveniently calculated by the “CLOGP”program, also available from Daylight CIS. This program also listsexperimental logP values when they are available in the Pomona92database. The “calculated logP” (ClogP) is determined by the fragmentapproach of Hansch and Leo (cf., A. Leo, in Comprehensive MedicinalChemistry, Vol. 4, C. Hansch, P. G. Sammens, J. B. Taylor and C. A.Ransden, Eds., p. 295, Pergamon Press, 1990, incorporated herein byreference). The fragment approach is based on the chemical structure ofeach HR species, and takes into account the numbers and types of atoms,the atom connectivity, and chemical bonding. ClogP values are the mostreliable and widely used estimates for octanol water partitioning. Itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that experimental log Pvalues could also be used. Experimental log P values represent a lesspreferred embodiment of the invention. Where experimental log P valuesare used, the one hour log P values are preferred. Other methods thatcan be used to compute ClogP include, e.g., Crippen's fragmentationmethod as disclosed in J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 27a,21 (1987);Viswanadhan's fragmentation method as disclosed in J. Chem. Inf. Comput.Sci., 29, 163 (1989); and Broto's method as disclosed in Eur. J. Med.Chem. -Chim. Theor., 19, 71 (1984).

The principal solvents suitable for use in the present invention areselected from those having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1,preferably from about 0.15 to about 0.64, more preferably from about0.25 to about 0.62, most preferably form about 0.4 to about 0.6.Preferably the principal solvent is at least to some degree anasymmetric molecule, preferably having a melting, or solidificationpoint which allows the principal solvent to be liquid at or near roomtemperature. Low molecular weight principal solvents may be desirablefor some embodiments. More preferred molecules are highly asymmetrical.

However, highly symmetrical molecules inter alia 1,7-heptandiol,1.4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane, and cyclohexane, have a center ofsymmetry which precludes their use as suitable principal solvents eventhought they have CloP values which fall within the desired range.

The most preferred principal solvents can be identified by theappearance of the softener vesicles, as observed via electron microscopyof the compositions that have been diluted to the concentration used inthe rinse. These dilute compositions appear to have dispersions offabric softener that exhibit a more unilamellar appearance thanconventional fabric softener compositions.

Preferred principal solvents include mono- alcohols, C₆ diols, C₇ diols,the isomers of octanediol, derivatives of butanediol, the isomers oftrimethylpentanediol, the isomers of ethylmethylpentanediol, the isomersof propylpentanediol, the isomers of dimethylhexanediol, the isomers ofethylhexanediol, the isomers of methylheptanediol, the isomers ofoctanediol, the isomers of nonanediol, alkyl glyceryl ethers, di(hydroxyalkyl) ethers, aryl glyceryl ethers, the derivatives of alicyclic diols,derivatives of alkoxylated C₃-C₇ diols, aryl diols, and mixtures thereofas disclosed in W097/03169 “Concentrated, Stable, Preferably Clear,Fabric Softening Composition” incorporated herein by reference.

Nonlimiting examples of preferred principal solvents include1,2-hexanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, alcohol ethoxylates of2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, alcoholethoxylates of 2,2,4-trimethyl- 1,3-pentanediol, phenoxyethanol,1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, and mixtures thereof.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is the combination ofcertain principal solvents. Non-limiting examples of preferredcombinations include 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (TMPD) incombination with 1,2-hexanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, or mixturesthereof. These solvent combinations provide increased phase stabilityacross storage temperatures and fully recoverable compositions frombelow the water freezing point.

For the preceding ester fabric softening agents, the pH of thecompositions herein is an important parameter of the present invention.Indeed, it influences the stability of the quaternary ammonium or amineprecursors compounds, especially in prolonged storage conditions.

The pH, as defined in the present context, is measured in the neatcompositions at 20° C. While these compositions are operable at pH ofless than about 6.0, for optimum hydrolytic stability of thesecompositions, the neat pH, measured in the above-mentioned conditions,must preferably be in the range of from about 2.0 to about 5, preferablyin the range of 2.5 to 4.5, preferably about 2.5 to about 3.5. The pH ofthese compositions herein can be regulated by the addition of a Bronstedacid. Examples of suitable acids include the inorganic mineral acids,carboxylic acids, in particular the low molecular weight (C₁-C₅)carboxylic acids, and alkylsulfonic acids. Suitable inorganic acidsinclude HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃ and H₃PO₄. Suitable organic acids includeformic, acetic, citric, methylsulfonic and ethylsulfonic acid. Preferredacids are citric, hydrochloric, phosphoric, formic, methylsulfonic acid,and benzoic acids.

Adjunct Ingredients

Stabilizers

Stabilizers are highly desirable in finished compositions. The term“stabilizer,” as used herein, includes antioxidants and reductiveagents. These agents are present at a level of from 0%, preferably fromabout 0.001%, more preferably from about 0.01%, even more preferablyfrom about 0.035% to about 2.0%, preferably to about 0.2%, morepreferably to about 0. 1% for antioxidants, and more preferably fromabout 0.01% to about 0.2% for reductive agents, in either the formedsoftener active or in the final composition. For the premix, the levelsare adjusted, depending on the concentrations of the softener active inthe premix and the finished composition. These assure good odorstability under long term storage conditions. Antioxidants and reductiveagent stabilizers are especially critical for unscented or low scentproducts (no or low perfume).

Examples of antioxidants that can be added to the dispersioncompositions include a mixture of ascorbic acid, ascorbic palmitate,propyl gallate, available from Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., underthe trade names Tenox® PG and Tenox® S-1; a mixture of BHT (butylatedhydroxytoluene), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), propyl gallate, andcitric acid, available from Eastman Chemical Products. Inc., under thetrade name Tenox®-6; butylated hydroxytoluene, available from UOPProcess Division under the trade name Sustane® BHT; tertiarybutylhydroquinone, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as Tenox® TBHQ;natural tocopherols, Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., as Tenox®GT-1/GT-2; and butylated hydroxyanisole, Eastman Chemical Products,Inc., as BHA: long chain esters (C₈-C₂₂) of gallic acid, e.g., dodecylgallate; Irganox® 1010; Irganox® 1035; Irganox® B 1171; Irganox® 1425;Irganox® 3114; Irganox®3125; and mixtures thereof; preferably Irganox®3125, Irganox® 1425, Irganox® 3114, and mixtures thereof; morepreferably Irganox® 3125 alone or mixed with citric acid and/or otherchelators such as isopropyl citrate, Dequest® 2010, available fromMonsanto with a chemical name of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonicacid (etidronic acid), and Tiron®, available from Kodak with a chemicalname of 4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzene-sulfonic acid/sodium salt and DTPA.RTM.,available from Aldrich with a chemical name ofdiethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. For further examples of suitablestabilizers see U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 Wahl et al., issued February 28,1995 incorporated herein by reference. Low molecular weiaht watersoluble solvents Low molecular weight water soluble solvents can also beused at levels of from 0% to 12%, preferably from 1% to 10%, morepreferably from 2% to 8% by weight. The water soluble solvents cannotprovide a clear product at the same low levels of the principal solventsdescribed hereinbefore but can provide clear product when the principalsolvent is not sufficient to provide completely clear product. Thepresence of these water soluble solvents is therefore highly desirable.Such solvents include: ethanol, isopropanol; propylene glycol; hexyleneglycol. 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol; propylene carbonate; 1.4cyclohexanedimethanol; etc. but do not include any of the principalsolvents. These water soluble solvents have a greater affinity for waterin the presence of hydrophobic materials like the softener compound thanthe principal solvents.

Among the above described co-solvent to be used in combination with theprincipal solvent, hexylene glycol and/or ethanol are preferredco-solvents. Due to processing conditions, some of the principal solventwhich comprises the compositions of the present invention enter into theformulation by way of the softener active, for example, ethanol,hexylene glycol, and mixtures thereof can be used in preparing thepreferred softener actives of the present invention and, therefore, arepart of the DEQA raw material system.

Chelating Agents

The compositions formed via the present invention may include one ormore chelating agents such as copper and/or nickel chelating agents(“chelators”), for example, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) orethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinnic acid (EDDS) which can be added duringthe formation of the fabric softening active or the fabric softeningcomposition. The chelating agent may be present in the composition inthe range of from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of thecomposition. More preferably the chelant is present in the range of fromabout 0.0 1% to about 5% and most preferably in the range of from about0.01% to about 3% by weight of the composition.

Such water-soluble chelating agents can be selected from the groupconsisting of amino carboxylates, amino phosphonates,polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixturesthereof, all as hereinafter defined and all preferably in their acidicform. Amino carboxylates useful as chelating agents herein includeethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA),N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotri-acetates NTA),ethylenediamine tetraproprionates, ethylenediamine-N,N′-diglutamates,2-hyroxypropylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinates,triethylenetetraatninehexacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates(DTPA) and ethanoldiglycines, including their water-soluble salts suchas the alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts thereofand mixtures thereof.

Amino phosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents in thecompositions of the invention when at least low levels of totalphosphorus are permitted in rinse-added fabric softener compositions,and include ethylenediaminetetrakis (methylenephosphonates),diethylenctriamine-N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentakis(methane phosphonate) (DTMP) and1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonate (HEDP). Preferably, these aminophosphonates to not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with more than about6 carbon atoms.

As can be seen from the foregoing, a wide variety of chelators may beadded to the compositions. Indeed, simple polycarboxylates such ascitrate, oxydisuccinate, and the like, may also be used, although suchchelators are not as effective as the amino carboxylates andphosphonates, on a weight basis. Accordingly, usage levels may beadjusted to take into account differing degrees of chelatingeffectiveness. The chelators herein will preferably have a stabilityconstant (of the fully ionized chelator) for copper ions of at leastabout 5, preferably at least about 7. Typically, the chelators willcomprise from about 0.5% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.75%to about 5%, by weight of the compositions herein.

For preferred chelants for use in obtaining enhanced color fidelity inthe compositions of the present invention see U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,376Rusche et al., issued Nov. 11, 1997 included herein by reference in itsentirety.

Cationic Charge Boosters

Cationic charge boosters may be added to the rinse-added fabricsoftening compositions of the present invention. Typically, ethanol isused to prepare many of the below listed ingredients and is therefore asource of solvent into the final product formulation. The formulator isnot limited to ethanol, but instead can add other solvents inter aliahexyleneglycol to aid in formulation of the final composition. This isespecially true in clear, translucent, isotropic compositions.

The preferred cationic charge boosters of the present invention aredescribed herein below.

i) Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

A preferred composition of the present invention comprises at leastabout 0.2%. preferably from about 0.2% to about 10%, more preferablyfrom about 0.2% to about 5% by weight, of a cationic charge boosterhaving the formula:

wherein R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are each independently C₁-C₂₂ alkyl, C₃-C₂₂alkenyl, R⁵-Q-(C H )m-. wherein R⁵ is C₁-C₂₂ alkyl, and mixturesthereof, m is from 1 to about 6; X is an anion.

Preferably R¹ is C₆-C₂₂ alkyl, C₆-C₂₂ alkenyl, and mixtures thereof,more preferably C₁₁-C₁₈ alkyl C₁₁-C₁₈ alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; R²,R³, and R⁴ are each preferably C₁-C₄ alkyl, more preferably each R², R³,and R⁴ are methyl.

The formulator may similarly choose R¹ to be a R⁵-Q-(CH₂)m- moietywherein R⁵ is an alkyl or alkenyl moiety having from 1 to 22 carbonatoms, preferably the alkyl or alkenyl moiety when taken together withthe Q unit is an acyl unit derived preferably derived from a source oftriglyceride selected from the group consisting of tallow, partiallyhydrogenated tallow, lard, partially hydrogenated lard, vegetable oilsand/or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as, canola oil,safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, talloil, rice bran oil, etc. and mixtures thereof.

An example of a fabric softener cationic booster comprising aR⁵-Q-(CH₂)m-moiety has the formula:

wherein R⁵-Q- is an oleoyl units and m is equal to 2.

X is a softener compatible anion, preferably the anion of a strong acid,for example, chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate,nitrate and mixtures thereof, more preferably chloride and methylsulfate.

ii) Polyvinyl Amines

A preferred composition according to the present invention contains atleast about 0.2%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 5%, morepreferably from about 0.2% to about 2% by weight, of one or morepolyvinyl amines having the formula

wherein y is from about 3 to about 10,000, preferably from about 10 toabout 5,000, more preferably from about 20 to about 500. Polyvinylamines suitable for use in the present invention are available fromBASF.

Optionally, one or more of the polyvinyl amine backbone —NH unithydrogens can be substituted by an alkyleneoxy unit having the formula:

—(R¹O)_(x)R²

wherein R¹ is C₂-C₄ alkylene. R² is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and mixturesthereof; x is from 1 to 50. In one embodiment or the present inventionthe polyvinyl amine is reacted first with a substrate which places a2-propyleneoxy unit directly on the nitrogen followed by reaction of oneor more moles of ethylene oxide to form a unit having the generalformula:

wherein x has the value of from 1 to about 50. Substitutions such as theabove are represented by the abbreviated formula PO-EO_(X)-. However,more than one propyleneoxy unit can be incorporated into the alkyleneoxysubstituent.

Polyvinyl amines are especially preferred for use as cationic chargebooster in liquid fabric softening compositions since the greater numberof amine moieties per unit weight provides substantial charge density.In addition, the cationic charge is generated in situ and the level ofcationic charge can be adjusted by the formulator.

iii) Polyalkyleneimines

A preferred composition of the present invention comprises at leastabout 0.2%. preferably from about 0.2% to about 10%, more preferablyfrom about 0.2% to about 5% by weight, of a polyalkyleneimine chargebooster having the formula:

wherein the value of m is from 2 to about 700 and the value of n is from0 to about 350. Preferably the compounds of the present inventioncomprise polyamines having a ratio of m:n that is at least 1:1 but mayinclude linear polymers (n equal to 0) as well as a range as high as10:1. preferably the ratio is 2:1. When the ratio of m:n is 2:1, theratio of primary:secondary:tertary amine moieties, that is the ratio of—RNH₂, —RNH, and —RN moieties, is 1:2:1.

R units are C₂-C₈ alkylene, C₃-C₈ alkyl substituted alkylene, andmixtures thereof, preferably ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,3-propylene, andmixtures thereof, more preferably ethylene. R units serve to connect theamine nitrogens of the backbone.

Optionally, one or more of the polyvinyl amine backbone —NH₂ unithydrogens can be substituted by an alkyleneoxy unit having the formula:

—(R¹O)_(x)R²

wherein R₁ is C₂-C₄ alkylene, R² is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and mixturesthereof; x is from 1 to 50. In one embodiment or the present inventionthe polyvinyl amine is reacted first with a substrate which places a2-propyleneoxy unit directly on the nitrogen followed by reaction of oneor more moles of ethylene oxide to form a unit having the generalformula:

wherein x has the value of from 1 to about 50. Substitutions such as theabove are represented by the abbreviated formula PO-EO_(x)-. However,more than one propyleneoxy unit can be incorporated into the alkyleneoxysubstituent.

The preferred polyamine cationic charge boosters suitable for use inrinse-added fabric softener compositions comprise backbones wherein lessthan 50% of the R groups comprise more than 3 carbon atoms. The use oftwo and three carbon spacers as R moieties between nitrogen atoms in thebackbone is advantageous for controlling the charge booster propertiesof the molecules. More preferred embodiments of the present inventioncomprise less than 25% moieties having more than 3 carbon atoms. Yetmore preferred backbones comprise less than 10% moieties having morethan 3 carbon atoms. Most preferred backbones comprise 100% ethylenemoieties.

The cationic charge boosting polyamines of the present inventioncomprise homogeneous or non-homogeneous polyamine backbones, preferablyhomogeneous backbones. For the purpose of the present invention the term“homogeneous polyamine backbone” is defined as a polyamine backbonehaving R units that are the same (i.e., all ethylene). However, thissameness definition does not exclude polyamines that comprise otherextraneous units comprising the polymer backbone that are present due toan artifact of the chosen method of chemical synthesis. For example itis known to those skilled in the art that ethanolamine may be used as an“initiator” in the synthesis of polyethyleneimines, therefore a sampleof polyethyleneimine that comprises one hydroxyethyl moiety resultingfrom the polymerization “initiator” would be considered to comprise ahomogeneous polyamine backbone for the purposes of the presentinvention.

For the purposes of the present invention the term “non-homogeneouspolymer backbone” refers to polyamine backbones that are a composite ofone or more alkylene or substituted alkylene moieties, for example,ethylene and 1,2-propylene units taken together as R units

However, not all of the suitable charge booster agents belonging to thiscategory of polyamine comprise the above described polyamines. Otherpolyamines that comprise the backbone of the compounds of the presentinvention are generally polyalkyleneamines (PAA's), polyalkyleneimines(PAI's), preferably polyethyleneamine (PEA's), or polyethyleneimines(PEI's). A common polyalkyleneamine (PAA) is tetrabutylenepentamine.PEA's are obtained by reactions involving ammonia and ethylenedichloride, followed by fractional distillation. The common PEA'sobtained are triethylenetetramine (TETA) and tetraethylenepentamine(TEPA). Above the pentamines, i.e., the hexamines, heptamines, octaminesand possibly nonamines, the cogenerically derived mixture does notappear to separate by distillation and can include other materials suchas cyclic amines and particularly piperazines. There can also be presentcyclic amines with side chains in which nitrogen atoms appear. See U.S.Pat. No. 2,792,372, Dickinson, issued May 14, 1957, which describes thepreparation of PEA's.

The PEI's which comprise the preferred backbones of the charge boostersof the present invention can be prepared, for example, by polymerizingethyleneimine in the presence of a catalyst such as carbon dioxide,sodium bisulfite, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid,acetic acid, etc. Specific methods for preparing PEI's are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 2,182,306, Ulrich et all., issued Dec. 5, 1939. U.S. Pat.No. 3,033,746, Mayle et al., issued May 8, 1962, U.S. Pat. No.2,208,095, Esselmann et al., issued Jul. 16, 1940; U.S. Pat. No.2,806,839, Crowther, issued Sep. 17, 1957; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,553,696,Wilson. issued May 21, 1951 (all herein incorporated by reference). Inaddition to the linear and branched PEI's, the present invention alsoincludes the cyclic amines that are typically formed as artifacts ofsynthesis. The presence of these materials may be increased or decreaseddepending on the conditions chosen by the formulator.

iv) Poly-Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

A preferred composition of the present invention comprises at leastabout 0.2%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 10%. more preferablyfrom about 0.2% to about 5% by weight, of a cationic charge boosterhaving the formula:

wherein R is substituted or unsubstituted C₂-C₁₂ alkylene, substitutedor unsubstituted C₂-C₁₂ hydroxyalkylene, each R¹ is independently C₁-C₄alkyl each R² is independently C₁-C₂₂ alkyl, C₃-C₂₂ alkenyl.R⁵-Q-(CH₂)m-, wherein R⁵ is C₁-C₂₂ alkyl, C₃-C₂₂ alkenyl, and mixturesthereof; m is from 1 to about 6; Q is a carbonyl unit as definedhereinabove; and mixtures thereof. X is an anion.

Preferably R is ethylene, R¹ is methyl or ethyl, more preferably methyl;at least one R² is preferably C₁-C₄ alkyl, more preferably methyl.Preferably at least one R² is C₁₁-C₂₂ alkyl, C₁₁-C₂₂ alkenyl, andmixtures thereof.

The formulator may similarly choose R² to be a R⁵-Q-(CH₂)_(m)- moietywherein R⁵ is an alkyl moiety having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms,preferably the alkyl moiety when taken together with the Q unit is anacyl unit derived preferably derived from a source of triglycerideselected from the group consisting of tallow, partially hydrogenatedtallow, lard, partially hydrogenated lard, vegetable oils and/orpartially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as, canola oil, saffloweroil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tall oil, ricebran oil, etc. and mixtures thereof.

An example of a fabric softener cationic booster comprising aR⁵-Q-(CH₂)_(m)-moiety has the formula:

wherein R¹ is methyl, one R² units is methyl and the other R² unit isR⁵-Q-(CH₂)_(m)-wherein R⁵-Q- is an oleoyl unit and m is equal to 2.

X is a softener compatible anion, preferably the anion of a strong acid,for example, chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate,nitrate and mixtures thereof, more preferably chloride and methylsulfate.

Dispersibility Aids

Relatively concentrated compositions containing both saturated andunsaturated diester quaternary ammonium compounds can be prepared thatare stable without the addition of concentration aids. However, thecompositions of the present invention may require organic and/orinorganic concentration aids to go to even higher concentrations and/orto meet higher stability standards depending on the other ingredients.These concentration aids which typically can be viscosity modifiers maybe needed, or preferred, for ensuring stability under extreme conditionswhen particular softener active levels are used. The surfactantconcentration aids are typically selected from the group consisting of(1) single long chain alkyl cationic surfactants, (2) nonionicsurfactants. (3) amine oxides; (4) fatty acids; and (5) mixturesthereof. These aids are described in P&G Copending Application Ser. No.08/461,207, filed Jun. 5, 1995, Wahl et al., specifically on page 14.line 12 to page 20, line 12, which is herein incorporated by reference.

When said dispersibility aids are present , the total level is from 2%to 25%, preferably from 3% to 17%, more preferably from 4% to 15%, andeven more preferably from 5% to 13% by weight of the composition. Thesematerials can either be added as part of the active softener rawmaterial, e.g., the mono-long chain alkyl cationic surfactant and/or thefatty acid which are reactants used to form the fabric softener activeas discussed hereinbefore, or added as a separate component. The totallevel of dispersibility aid includes any amount that may be present aspart of the softener active.

Soil Release Agents

Particular to the embodiments of the rinse-added fabric softenersaccording to the present invention, certain soil release agents providenot only the below described soil release properties but are added fortheir suitability in maintaining proper viscosity, especially in thedispersed phase, non-isotropic compositions.

Any polymeric soil release agent known to those skilled in the art canoptionally be employed in the compositions and processes of thisinvention. Polymeric soil release agents are characterized by havingboth hydrophilic segments, to hydrophilize the surface of hydrophobicfibers, such as polyester and nylon, and hydrophobic segments, todeposit upon hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered thereto throughcompletion of the rinsing cycle and, thus, serve as an anchor for thehydrophilic segments. This can enable stains occurring subsequent totreatment with the soil release agent to be more easily cleaned in laterwashing procedures.

If utilized, soil release agents will generally comprise from about0.01% to about 10.0%, by weight, of the detergent compositions herein,typically from about 0.1 % to about 5%, preferably from about 0.2% toabout 3.0%.

The following, all included herein by reference, describe soil releasepolymers suitable for use in the present invention. U.S. Pat. No.3,959,230 Hays, issued May 25, 1976; U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,929 Basadur,issued Jul. 8, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,093, Nicol, et al., issued Dec.28, 1976; U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,857 Gosselink, issued Oct. 27, 1987; U.S.Pat. No. 4,968,451, Scheibel et al., issued November 6; U.S. Pat. No.4,702,857. Gosselink, issued Oct. 27, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,730,Gosselink el al., issued Dec. 8, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,580,Gosselink, issued Jan. 26, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,896, Maldonado etal., issued Oct. 31. 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,447, Gosselink et al.,issued Sep. 11, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,807 Gosselink et al., issuedMay 16, 1995; European Patent Application 0 219 048, published Apr. 22,1987 by Kud, et al.

Further suitable soil release agents are described in U.S. Pat. No.4,201,824, Violland et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,918 Lagasse et al.; U.S.Pat. No. 4,525,524 Tung et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,681, Ruppert et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,918; U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,989; U.S. Pat. No.4,525,524; EP 279,134 A. 1988, to Rhone-Poulenc Chemie; EP 457,205 A toBASF (1991); and DE 2,335,044 to Unilever N. V., 1974 all incorporatedherein by reference.

Commercially available soil release agents include the METOLOSE SM 100,METOLOSE SM200 manufactured by Shin-etsu Kagaku Kogyo K.K., SOKALAN typeof material, e.g., SOKALAN HP-22. available from BASF (Germany). ZELCON5126 from Dupont) and MILEASE T (from ICI).

A preferred soil release agent is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,857Gosselink, issued Oct. 27, 1987.

Enzymes

The compositions and processes herein can optionally comprise one ormore enzymes such as lipases, proteases, cellulase, amylases andperoxidases. A preferred enzyme for use herein is a cellulase enzyme.Indeed, this type of enzyme will further provide a color care benefit tothe treated fabric. Cellulases usable herein include both bacterial andfungal types, preferably having a pH optimum between 5 and 9.5. U.S.Pat. No. 4,435,307 discloses suitable fungal cellulases from Humicolainsolens or Humicola strain DSM1800 or a cellulase 212-producing fungusbelonging to the genus Aeromonas, and cellulase extracted from thehepatopancreas of a marine mollusk, Dolabella Auricula Solander.Suitable cellulases are also disclosed in GB-A-2,075,028; GB-A-2,095,275and DE-OS-2,247, 832. CAREZYME® and CELLUZYME® (Novo) are especiallyuseful. Other suitable cellulases are also disclosed in WO 91/17243 toNovo. WO 96/34092. WO 96/34945 and EP-A-0,739,982. In practical termsfor current commercial preparations, typical amounts are up to 5 mg byweight, more typically 0.01 mg to 3 mg, of active enzyme per gram of thedetergent composition. Stated otherwise, the compositions herein willtypically comprise from 0.001% to 5%, preferably 0.01%-1% by weight of acommercial enzyme preparation. In the particular cases where activity ofthe enzyme preparation can be defined otherwise such as with cellulases,corresponding activity units are preferred (e.g. CEVU or cellulaseEquivalent Viscosity Units). For instance, the compositions of thepresent invention can contain cellulase enzymes at a level equivalent toan activity from 0.5 to 1000 CEVU/gram of composition. Cellulase enzymepreparations used for the purpose of formulating the compositions ofthis invention typically have an activity comprised between 1,000 and10,000 CEVU/gram in liquid form, around 1,000 CEVU/gram in solid form.

Electrolyte

The compositions of the present invention further optionally compriseelectrolytes for control of phase stability, viscosity, and/or clarity.The electrolytes of the present invention are typically water soluble,ionizable salts. A wide variety of ionizable salts can be used. Examplesof suitable salts are the halides of the Group IA and IIA metals of thePeriodic Table of the elements, e.g., calcium chloride, sodium chloride,potassium bromide, and lithium chloride. The ionizable salts areparticularly useful during the process of mixing the ingredients to makethe compositions herein, and later to obtain the desired viscosity. Theamount of ionizable salts used depends on the amount of activeingredients used in the compositions and can be adjusted according tothe desires of the formulator. Typical levels of salts used to controlthe composition viscosity are from about 20 to about 10,000 parts permillion (ppm). preferably from about 20 to about 5,000 ppm, of thecomposition.

Alkylene polyammonium salts can be incorporated into the composition togive viscosity control in addition to or in place of the water-soluble,ionizable salts above, In addition, these agents can act as scavengers,forming ion pairs with anionic detergent carried over from the mainwash, in the rinse, and on the fabrics, and can improve softnessperformance. These agents can stabilized the viscosity over a broaderrange of temperature, especially at low temperatures, compared to theinorganic electrolytes. Specific examples of alkylene polyammonium saltsinclude L-lysine, monohydrochloride and 1,5-diammonium 2-methyl pentanedihydrochloride.

Perfume

The present invention can contain any softener compatible perfume.Suitable perfumes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,138, said patentbeing incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein, perfume includes fragrant substance or mixture ofsubstances including natural (i.e., obtained by extraction of flowers,herbs, leaves, roots, barks, wood, blossoms or plants), artificial(i.e., a mixture of different nature oils or oil constituents) andsynthetic (i.e., synthetically produced) odoriferous substances. Suchmaterials are often accompanied by auxiliary materials, such asfixatives, extenders, stabilizers and solvents. These auxiliaries arealso included within the meaning of “perfume”, as used herein.Typically, perfumes are complex mixtures of a plurality of organiccompounds.

Examples of perfume ingredients useful in the perfumes of the presentinvention compositions include, but are not limited to, hexyl cinnamicaldehyde; amyl cinnamic aldehyde; amyl salicylate; hexyl salicylate;terpineol; 3,7-dimethyl-cis-2,6-octadien- 1-ol; 2,6-dimethyl-2-octanol;2,6-dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol; 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol;3,7-dimethyl-trans-2,6-octadien- 1-ol; 3 ,7-dimethyl-6-octen-1-ol;3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol;2-methyl-3-(para-tert-butylphenyl)-propionaldehyde;4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde;tricyclodecenyl propionate; tricyclodecenyl acetate; anisaldehyde;2-methyi-2-(para-iso-propylphenyl)-propionaldehyde;ethyl-3-methyl-3-phenyl glycidate; 4-(para-hydroxyphenyl)-butan-2-one;1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one;para-methoxyacetophenone; para-methoxy-alpha-phenylpropene;methyl-2-n-hexyl-3-oxo-cyclopentane carboxylate; undecalactone gamma.

Additional examples of fragrance materials include, but are not limitedto, orange oil; lemon oil; grapefruit oil; bergamot oil; clove oil;dodecalactone gamma; methyl-2-(2-pentyl-3-oxo-cyclopentyl) acetate;beta-naphthol methylether; methyl-beta-naphthylketone; coumarin;decylaldehyde; benzaldehyde; 4-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate;alpha,alpha-dimethylphenethyl acetate; methylphenyicarbinyl acetate;Schiff's base of4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxaldehyde and methylanthranilate; cyclic ethyleneglycol diester of tridecandioic acid;3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadiene-1-nitrile; ionone gamma methyl; ionone alpha;ionone beta; petitgrain; methyl cedrylone;7-acetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro- 1,1,6,7-tetramethyl-naphthalene;ionone methyl; methyl-1,6,10-trimethyl-2,5,9-cyclododecatrien- 1-ylketone; 7-acetyl- 1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl tetralin;4-acetyl-6-tert-butyl- 1,1-dimethyl indane; benzophenone; 6-acetyl-1,1,2,3 ,3,5-hexamethyl indane; 5-acetyl-3-isopropyl-1,1,2,6-tetramethylindane; 1-dodecanal; 7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl octanal; 10-undecen-1-al;iso-hexenyl cyclohexyl carboxaldehyde; formyl tricyclodecan;cyclopentadecanolide; 16-hydroxy-9-hexadecenoic acid lactone;1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-gamma-2-benzopyrane;ambroxane; dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho-[2,1b]furan; cedrol;5-(2,2,3-trimethylcyclopent-3-enyl)-3-methylpentan-2-ol; 2-ethyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-2-buten-1-ol; caryophyllene alcohol;cedryl acetate; para-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate; patchouli; olibanumresinoid; labdanum; vetivert; copaiba balsam; fir balsam; andcondensation products of: hydroxycitronellal and methyl anthranilate;hydroxycitronellal and indol; phenyl acetaldehyde and indol;4-(4-hydroxy-4-methyl pentyl)-3-cyclohexene- 1-carboxaldehyde and methylanthranilate. More examples of perfume components are geraniol; geranylacetate; linalool; linalyl acetate; tetrahydrolinalool; citronellol;citronellyl acetate; dihydromyrcenol; dihydromyrcenyl acetate;tetrahydromyrcenol; terpinyl acetate; nopol; nopyl acetate;2-phenylethanol; 2-phenylethyl acetate; benzyl alcohol; benzyl acetate;benzyl salicylate; benzyl benzoate; styrallyl acetate;dimethylbenzylcarbinol; trichloromethylphenylcarbinylmethylphenylcarbinyl acetate; isononyl acetate; vetiveryl acetate;vetiverol; 2-methyl-3-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-propanal;2-methyl-3-(p-isopropylphenyl)-propanal;3-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-propanal;4-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-3-cyclohexenecarbaldehyde;4-acetoxy-3-pentyltetrahydropyran; methyl dihydrojasmonate;2-n-heptylcyclopentanone; 3-methyl-2-pentyl-cyclopentanone; n-decanal;n-dodecanal; 9-decenol-1; phenoxyethyl isobutyrate; phenylacetaldehydedimethylacetal; phenylacetaldehyde diethylacetal; geranonitrile;citronellonitrile; cedryl acetal; 3-isocamphylcyclohexanol; cedrylmethylether; isolongifolanone; aubepine nitrile; aubepine; heliotropine;eugenol; vanillin; diphenyl oxide; hydroxycitronellal ionones; methylionones; isomethyl ionomes; irones; cis-3-hexenol and esters thereof;indane musk fragrances; tetralin musk fragrances; isochroman muskfragrances; macrocyclic ketones; macrolactone musk fragrances; ethylenebrassylate.

The perfumes useful in the present invention compositions aresubstantially free of halogenated materials and nitromusks. Suitablesolvents, diluents or carriers for perfumes ingredients mentioned aboveare for examples, ethanol, isopropanol, diethylene glycol, monoethylether, dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate, etc. Theamount of such solvents, diluents or carriers incorporated in theperfumes is preferably kept to the minimum needed to provide ahomogeneous perfume solution. Perfume can be present at a level of from0% to 10%, preferably from 0.1% to 5%, and more preferably from 0.2% to3%, by weight of the finished composition. Fabric softener compositionsof the present invention provide improved fabric perfume deposition.

Perfume ingredients may also be suitably added as releasable fragrances,for example, as pro-perfumes or pro-fragrances as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,652,205 Hartman et al., issued Jul. 29, 1997 incorporated hereinby reference.

Optional Ingredients

Other optional ingredients useful in compositions of the presentinvention include, but are not limited to, dye transfer inhibitingagents, scum dispersants, suds suppressors, optical brighteners or otherbrightening or whitening agents, dye fixing agents, light fadingprotection agents, oxygen bleach protection agents, fabric softeningclay, anti-static agents, other active ingredients, carriers,hydrotropes, processing aids, dyes or pigments, bactericides, colorants,perfumes, preservatives, opacifiers, anti-shrinkage agents, anti-wrinkleagents, fabric crisping agents, spotting agents, germicides, fungicides,anti-corrosion agents, and the like.

The following are non-limiting examples of rinse-added fabric softenercompositions according to the present invention. These compositionsprovide surprisingly good fabric softening as compared to similarcompositions prepared in the conventional manner or to those comprisinghigher levels of principal solvent without the polyoxyalkylenealkylamide surface active agents of the present invention.

TABLE I weight % Ingredients 1 2 3 4 5 Softener Active¹ 28.0 30.0 30.030.0 30.0 Ethanol 2.4 2.3 2.6 2.6 2.6 Hexyleneglycol 2.3 2.7 2.3 2.3 2.32,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol 4.0 — 5.0 9.0 9.0 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexandiol4.0 — — — — Polyoxyalkylene alkylamide² 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 —Polyoxyalkylene alkylamide³ — — — — 1.5 CaCl₂ 0.05 0.5 0.125 0.125 0.125Perfume 2.5 1.0 2.5 2.5 2.5 Demineralized water balance balance balancebalance balance¹N,N-di-(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methylsulfate. ²PEG-6 cocamide, (Rewopal C6 ex Witco Chemical). ³PEG-5lauramide (Amidox L-5, ex Stepan Chemical).

TABLE II weight % Ingredients 6 7 8 9 10 Softener Active¹ 30.0 30.0 35.023.4 36.0 Ethanol 2.6 3.4 2.5 2.0 3.1 Hexyleneglycol 2.3 2.3 2.5 — 6.22,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol 9.0 9.0 4.0 — — 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexandiol —— 4.0 — — Polyoxyalkylene alkylamide² — 1.5 3.0 2.1 1.8 Polyoxyalkylenealkylamide³ 1.5 — — — — Monocanola trimethylammonium — 1.5 — — —chloride⁴ CaCl₂ 0.125 0.125 0.125 0.33 0.125 Perfume 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.1 1.2Demineralized water balance balance balance balance balance¹N,N-di-(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methylsulfate. ²PEG-6 cocamide, (Rewopal C6 ex Witco Chemical). ³PEG-7oleamide (Ethomid 0/17, ex Akzo Chemical). ⁴Adogen 417, ex WitcoChemical.

TABLE II weight % Ingredients 6 7 8 9 10 Softener Active¹ 30.0 30.0 35.023.4 36.0 Ethanol 2.6 3.4 2.5 2.0 3.1 Hexyleneglycol 2.3 2.3 2.5 — 6.22,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol 9.0 9.0 4.0 — — 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexandiol —— 4.0 — — Polyoxyalkylene alkylamide² — 1.5 3.0 2.1 1.8 Polyoxyalkylenealkylamide³ 1.5 — — — — Monocanola trimethylammonium — 1.5 — — —chloride⁴ CaCl₂ 0.125 0.125 0.125 0.33 0.125 Perfume 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.1 1.2Demineralized water balance balance balance balance balance¹N,N-di-(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methylsulfate. ²PEG-6 cocamide, (Rewopal C6 ex Witco Chemical). ³PEG-7oleamide (Ethomid 0/17, ex Akzo Chemical). ⁴Adogen 417, ex WitcoChemical.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rinse-added fabric softening compositioncomprising: a) from about 1% to about 80% by weight, of a fabricsoftening active; b) from 2% to about 15% by weight, of a principalsolvent, said principal solvent having a ClogP of from about 0.15 toabout 1, and said principal solvent is selected from the groupconsisting of C₆ diols, C₇ diols, the isomers of octanediol, derivativesof butanediol, the isomers of trimethylpentanediol, the isomers ofethylmethylpentanediol, the isomers of propylpentanediol, the isomers ofdimethylhexanediol, the isomers of ethylhexanediol, the isomers ofmethylheptanediol, the isomers of octanediol, the isomers of nonanediol,alkyl glyceryl ethers, di(hydroxy alkyl) ethers, aryl glyceryl ethers,the derivatives of alicyclic diols, derivatives of alkoxylated C₃-C₇diols, aryl diols, and mixtures thereof; c) from about 0.5% to about 10%by weight, of a polyoxyalkylene alkyl amide surface active agent; and d)the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients.
 2. A composition accordingto claim 1 wherein said polyoxyalkylene alkylamide surface active agenthas the formula:

wherein R is C₇-C₂₁ linear alkyl, C₇-C₂₁ branched alkyl, C₇-C₂₁ linearalkenyl, C₇-C₂₁ branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; R¹ is ethylene;R² is C₃-C₄ linear alkyl, C₃-C₄ branched alkyl, and mixtures thereof; R³is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ linear alkyl, C₃-C₄ branched alkyl, and mixturesthereof; R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ linear alkyl, C₃-C₄ branched alkyl, andmixtures thereof; m is 1 or 2, n is 0 or 1, provided that when m is 1 nis 1 and when m is 2 n is 0; x is from 0 to about 50; y is from 0 toabout
 10. 3. A composition according to claim 2 wherein for saidpolyoxyalkylene alkylamide surface active agent x is from about 3 toabout 25 and y is
 0. 4. A composition according to claim 3 wherein x isfrom about 3 to about
 10. 5. A composition according to claim 4 whereinR³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, m is 1 and n is
 1. 6. A compositionaccording to claim 3 wherein said polyoxyalkylene alkylamide surfaceactive agent comprises an acyl unit having the formula:

wherein said acyl unit is derived from a source of triglyceride selectedfrom the group consisting of tallow, hard tallow, lard, coconut oil,partially hydrogenated coconut oil, canola oil, partially hydrogenatedcanola oil, safflower oil, partially hydrogenated safflower oil, peanutoil, partially hydrogenated peanut oil, sunflower oil, partiallyhydrogenated sunflower oil, corn oil, partially hydrogenated corn oil,soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, tall oil, partiallyhydrogenated tall oil, rice bran oil, partially hydrogenated rice branoil, synthetic triglyceride feedstocks and mixtures thereof.
 7. Acomposition according to claim 6 wherein said source of triglyceride istallow, hard tallow, coconut oil, partially hydrogenated coconut, canolaoil, hydrogenated canola oil, synthetic triglyceride feedstocks, andmixtures thereof.
 8. A composition according to claim 1 wherein saidfabric softening active comprises a quaternary ammonium compound havingthe formula:

or amine precursor having the formula:

wherein each R is independently C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ hydroxyalkyl, benzyl,and mixtures thereof; R¹ is C₁₁-C₂₂ alkyl, C₁₁-C₂₂ alkenyl, and mixturesthereof; Q is a carbonyl moiety having the formula:

wherein R² is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl, and mixturesthereof; R³ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and mixtures thereof; X is asoftener compatible anion; m is from 1 to 3; n is from 1 to
 4. 9. Acomposition according to claim 8 wherein Q has the formula:


10. A composition according to claim 8 wherein R is methyl,hydroxyethyl, and mixtures thereof.
 11. A composition according to claim8 wherein n is equal to
 2. 12. A composition according to claim 8wherein said quaternary ammonium fabric softening active comprises anacyl moiety having the formula:

wherein said acyl unit is derived from a source of triglyceride selectedfrom the group consisting of tallow, hard tallow, lard, canola oil,partially hydrogenated canola oil, safflower oil, partially hydrogenatedsafflower oil, peanut oil, partially hydrogenated peanut oil, sunfloweroil, partially hydrogenated sunflower oil, corn oil, partiallyhydrogenated corn oil, soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil,tall oil, partially hydrogenated tall oil, rice bran oil, partiallyhydrogenated rice bran oil, synthetic triglyceride feedstocks, andmixtures thereof.
 13. A composition according to claim 12 wherein saidsource of triglyceride is canola oil, partially hydrogenated canola oil,and mixtures thereof.
 14. A composition according to claim 1 comprisingless than or equal to about 12% by weight, of said principal solvent.15. A composition according to claim 14 comprising less than or equal toabout 9% by weight, of said principal solvent.
 16. A compositionaccording to claim 15 comprising less than or equal to about 5% byweight, of said principal solvent.
 17. A composition according to claim1 comprising 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentandiol, 1,2-hexandiol,2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, phenoxyethanol, butyl carbitol, and mixturesthereof.
 18. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said compositionhas a pH of from about 2 to about
 5. 19. A composition according toclaim 1 further comprising adjunct ingredients selected from the groupconsisting of nonionic fabric softening agents, concentration aid, soilrelease agent, perfume, preservatives, stabilizers, colorants, opticalbrighteners, opacifiers, fabric conditioning agents, anti-shrinkageagents, anti-wrinkle agents, fabric crisping agents, spotting agents,germicides, fungicides, anti-corrosion agents, antifoam agents, andmixtures thereof.
 20. A composition according to claim 1 wherein thefabric softener active is selected from the group consisting ofN,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methylsulfate; N,N-di(canolyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammoniummethyl sulfate; and mixtures thereof.
 21. A rinse-added fabric softeningcomposition comprising: a) at least an effective amount ofN,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methylsulfate; b) from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, of a polyoxyalkylenealkylamide surface active agent having the formula:

wherein R is C₇-C₂₁ linear alkyl, C₇-C₂₁ branched alkyl, C₇-C₂₁ linearalkenyl, C₇-C₂₁ branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; R¹ is ethylene,R³ is hydrogen, R⁴ is hydrogen, n is 1, m is 1, x is from about 4 toabout 9, and y is 0: c) optionally from 2% to about 15% by weight, of aprincipal solvent, said principal solvent having a ClogP of from about0.15 to about 1; and d) the balance carriers and adjunct ingredients.22. A process for making a low principal solvent rinse-added fabricsoftener composition comprising the step of adding a nonionic surfactanthaving the formula:

wherein R is C₇-C₂₁ linear alkyl, C₇-C₂₁ branched alkyl, C₇-C₂₁ linearalkenyl, C₇-C₂₁ branched alkenyl, and mixtures thereof; R¹ is ethylene;R² is C₃-C₄ linear alkyl, C₃-C₄ branched alkyl, and mixtures thereof; R³is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ linear alkyl, C₃-C₄ branched alkyl, and mixturesthereof; R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ linear alkyl, C₃-C₄ branched alkyl, andmixtures thereof; in is 1 or 2, n is 0 or 1, provided that when m is 1 nis 1 and when m is 2 n is 0; x is from 0 to about 50; y is from 0 toabout 10; to a rinse-added fabric softener premix, said premixcomprising: a) from about 1% to about 80% by weight, of a fabricsoftening active, and said principal solvent is selected from the groupconsisting of C₆ diols, C₇ diols, the isomers of octanediol, derivativesof butanediol, the isomers of trimethylpentanediol, the isomers ofethylmethylpentanediol, the isomers of propylpentanediol, the isomers ofdimethylhexanediol, the isomers of ethylhexanediol, the isomers ofmethylheptanediol, the isomers of octanediol, the isomers of nonanediol,alkyl glyceryl ethers, di(hydroxy alkyl) ethers, aryl glyceryl ethers,the derivatives of alicyclic diols, derivatives of alkoxylated C₃-C₇diols, aryl diols, and mixtures thereof; b) from 2% to about 15% byweight, of a principal solvent, said principal solvent having a ClogP offrom about 0.15 to about 1; and c) the balance carriers and adjunctingredients.
 23. A method for providing softness to fabric comprisingthe step of contacting said fabric with an aqueous solution containing arinse-added fabric softening composition comprising: a) from about 1% toabout 80% by weight, of a fabric softening active; b) from 2% to about15% by weight, of a principal solvent, said principal solvent having aClogP of from about 0.15 to about 1, and said principal solvent isselected from the group consisting of C₆ diols, C₇ diols, the isomers ofoctanediol, derivatives of butanediol, the isomers oftrimethylpentanediol, the isomers of ethylmethylpentanediol, the isomersof propylpentanediol, the isomers of dimethylhexanediol, the isomers ofethylhexanediol, the isomers of methylheptanediol, the isomers ofoctanediol, the isomers of nonanediol, alkyl glyceryl ethers, di(hydroxyalkyl) ethers, aryl glyceryl ethers, the derivatives of alicyclic diols,derivatives of alkoxylated C₃-C₇ diols, aryl diols, and mixturesthereof; c) from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, of a polyoxyalkylenealkyl amide surface active agent; and d) the balance carriers andadjunct ingredients.